Financial Times

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times. The move is seen as a setback for Beijing's efforts to build alternatives to the dollar-based global payments system, and observers are weighing what it signals about the Gulf kingdom's financial alignment with Washington versus its deepening economic ties with China.

EU member states are discussing a plan for collective, Nato-style responses to Russian hybrid attacks, such as sabotage, cyber operations and disinformation targeting European infrastructure. Under the idea, an attack on one country could trigger coordinated countermeasures from the whole bloc. The Financial Times reported the discussions, which reflect growing alarm across Europe about Moscow's grey-zone activities.

The Financial Times examines whether the European Union can construct a 'hybrid defence' against Russia, addressing Moscow's use of non-military pressure such as disinformation, cyberattacks, sabotage and influence operations. The debate comes as EU member states weigh how to coordinate responses to threats that fall below the threshold of conventional armed conflict, and whether Brussels has the tools and authority to lead such an effort.

The Reserve Bank of Australia meets tomorrow for the sixth time this year, with both financial markets and economists viewing an interest rate rise as almost certain. Attention is turning to how many further increases may follow as the bank continues trying to curb inflation, and what that will mean for mortgage holders and borrowers.

Europe is preparing for intensified competition with Asia over liquefied natural gas supplies, according to a Financial Times report. As both regions vie for limited cargoes, buyers could be forced to bid up prices, with implications for Europe's energy security and household and industrial costs. The competition centres on securing winter supply and attracting flexible US and Qatari cargoes away from Asian buyers.

Ukraine has carried out an airlift delivering humanitarian aid to a city under Russian occupation, according to a Financial Times report. The operation is notable given the ongoing war and the risks of flying into territory controlled by Russian forces. The move suggests a rare humanitarian arrangement, and the reported destination is a front-line city held by Russia since the invasion.

A federal watchdog has warned that the Federal Reserve is exposed to security 'deficiencies', according to the Financial Times. The report flags weaknesses in the US central bank's security arrangements, raising concerns about the protection of sensitive systems and data at one of the world's most influential financial institutions.

Gold prices declined as markets absorbed signals that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for longer than previously expected. Higher rates raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, weighing on demand. Investors are watching upcoming Fed commentary and inflation data for clues on the timing of any policy easing.

Poland's central bank is described as trapped in a political contest, according to the Financial Times. The report highlights growing tensions around the institution, suggesting its independence is under pressure amid a broader struggle over political influence in Poland. The row adds to scrutiny of the bank's leadership and policy decisions at a sensitive moment for the country's economy and institutions.

The Financial Times has published an opinion piece examining India's role as a major exporter of labour to the global economy. The argument frames the movement of Indian workers abroad as a "shock" with significant implications for labour markets, migration policy and India's economic standing. Details of the author's full argument are not available beyond the headline.

Germany has issued an ultimatum to the European Union over the EU budget, according to the Financial Times. The exact demands and deadline were not specified in the available reporting. The move signals tension between Berlin and EU institutions over spending plans, a perennial flashpoint given Germany's role as the bloc's largest net contributor and its insistence on fiscal discipline among member states.

Organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have restricted the scope of some financial disclosures, according to a Los Angeles Times review. The report raises questions about transparency around how the Games' budget and spending are being managed as preparations continue.

A new analysis argues that the Iran crisis is being felt as strongly through the banking system as through oil shipping routes. It points to sanctions, restricted financial channels and payment difficulties as central to how pressure on Tehran is playing out, alongside concerns about oil transit security.

The Financial Times reports that US companies are increasingly adopting cheaper 'open' AI models rather than relying solely on costly proprietary systems from major vendors. Businesses are drawn to open models for their lower cost and greater flexibility, a shift that could reshape how enterprises buy artificial intelligence and put pressure on providers of expensive closed systems.

Inflows of foreign capital into US equities have reached a record high, even as overseas investors pull back from US debt, according to Financial Times reporting. The shift suggests international money is chasing American stocks while showing declining appetite for Treasuries and other fixed-income assets, a rebalancing with potential implications for both equity valuations and US borrowing costs.

Five men arrested over an alleged terror plot targeting RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire are all British nationals, the Financial Times reports. The arrests have raised questions about homegrown extremism and security at UK military airbases, with authorities yet to confirm details of the alleged plan or the men's alleged motives.

Singapore is stepping up its investment in the semiconductor sector, according to the Financial Times. The city-state has long been a key hub for chip manufacturing and research, hosting major global players, and is now positioning itself to capture a larger share of an industry reshaped by supply-chain shifts and government subsidy races worldwide.

The Financial Times argues that without a resilient underlying economy, central banks have limited policy choices when responding to economic shocks. The piece highlights the constraints monetary authorities face, suggesting interest rate tools alone cannot offset structural weakness and that broader economic resilience is essential for effective policy.

EU policy in Brussels is taking a more protectionist direction, according to the Financial Times, and this is worrying free-market-minded members of the bloc. The shift, framed as a turn away from open-market principles, has reportedly unsettled governments and politicians who favour trade liberalisation. Concerns centre on what the change means for the EU’s single market and its traditional support for open competition.

Minutes from the Bank of Japan's latest policy meeting show members agreed that financial conditions in Japan remain accommodative. The release of the minutes gives markets a closer look at the board's internal debate as investors watch for signals on when the central bank may adjust its monetary stance. Traders and analysts are weighing the comments against expectations for future policy moves.

Richard Kahn, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime financial manager who appears more than 50,000 times in the Justice Department's Epstein files, was questioned by Congress. Under questioning he confirmed that a woman who accused Donald Trump of sexual abuse received a settlement payment. The testimony has drawn attention to the financial trail behind Epstein's operations and its potential connections to Trump.

Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney told the New York Times that the world's heavy reliance on the U.S. dollar is unsustainable, arguing that the international financial system is at risk. Carney, now Canada's prime minister, has long advocated alternatives including multipolar currency arrangements and has criticized U.S. trade and monetary policy under President Trump for accelerating calls to reduce dollar dependence.

The Premier League will put forward its suggested punishment for Manchester City to an independent panel, according to The Times. The move marks a new stage in the long-running disciplinary case against the club, which has faced more than 100 alleged breaches of the league's financial rules. City has always denied any wrongdoing. The panel will decide whether to accept the league's proposal, and any sanction could shape the title race and English football's financial landscape.

Manchester City's long-awaited verdicts are being closely followed across the football world, with clubs, fans and pundits reacting to the outcomes. The New York Times has gathered perspectives from outside England, reflecting how the case has become a global talking point with implications for the Premier League's competitive balance and financial rules.

Nvidia is approaching insurance companies to help spread the financial risk of its massive artificial intelligence infrastructure build-out, according to the Financial Times. The chipmaker has committed billions of dollars to data centres and AI deals, and is exploring ways to offload some of the exposure tied to those increasingly large commitments.

Major technology companies are using guarantee structures to keep roughly $300 billion in AI-related financial commitments off their balance sheets, according to a Financial Times report. The arrangements, often backing data centre and infrastructure deals, raise questions about how much risk the sector is actually carrying as AI spending accelerates.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated he is open to providing the 'greatest level of' financial support to member associations, potentially disbursing millions, as he seeks re-election. The timing has drawn attention, with observers questioning whether large payouts to national federations are being used to build goodwill ahead of the vote.

Barclays analysts say labor-market pressures are set to persist as immigration slows and populations age, tightening the supply of workers in many economies. The bank's analysis points to structural worker shortages rather than a temporary squeeze. The report has been picked up by financial outlets including Investing.com and Yahoo Finance UK, feeding into ongoing debate about immigration policy and demographic decline.